Get Into College

"College hopeful" high-schoolers work their entire lives, study hours on end, work in jobs and participate in clubs and sports, for the one process that will define how the rest of their lives plays out. This nerve racking, extremely difficult time during a teenagers life will leave them sweating with papers spread out over the floor, stressing over essays and application, and regularly breaking out in facial blemishes. For those internet-savy kids, there is salvation. Many sites and forums help high school juniors and seniors through the difficult process of college application. I have just been through this grueling process, and I decided that were seldom few people who can so vividly remember the process as someone who just experienced it. Looking back, I realize I could have implemented a few organizational steps that would have helped me greatly. These included college visits, application decisions, college essays, SATs, and recommendations.

College visits are one of the most important processes of them all. They show colleges that you are seriously interested in attending their programs. If you don't visit, for any reason, the college may interpret it as a lack of interest in their school. If you live far away, you might not be able to visit, and many colleges will forgive you for this. If you have a relative or friend near the college, consider visiting them and the college at the same time. It could really help your chances. Colleges visits need to be started as the first thing, far before anything else. If you expect to begin applying to colleges in late September or a little earlier, try to schedule as many visits as you can during the previous April, May, and June. The summer is not a very good time to visit because the classes are not in session and you won't have a chance to see the students conducting themselves in a regular college environment.

The second step in the process is deciding where you want to apply. You should make sure to apply to at least 2 fall back schools, 2-4 schools that fit your academic record, and 1-3 reach schools. Its important to have at least 2 fall backs schools because on the off chance that one of them rejects you, you will have the other one to rely on. You should not apply to "fit" schools, that are above your level, as that will leave you disappointed and discouraged. Likewise, don't let other people talk you out of applying to colleges that you really believe that you can get into.

The college essay is a piece of the application process that allows the admissions officers to see a side of you that grades and scores will not reflect. The topic of the essay is not so much important as the way you write it. If you write that you really want to go to the school because you have this, this, and that quality, then your essay will not likely make an impression on its readers. If you write a story that SHOWS the qualities that you possess, you are more likely to make a good impression.

SAT scores allow the entire student population of the United States to demonstrate their skills on an even plane. Preparation for the test needs to be rigorous. Studying from books is extremely useful, but hiring a tutor is the best way to go. If it is affordable in your area, find a tutor for 1 or all of the subjects. They will help gauge your skills and see where you need to study harder. You should also really review the test taking tips on collegeboard.com because they are very helpful.

Teacher recommendations are extremely difficult to obtain for some people. Some students aren't the teachers "favorites", as some might call them, and can find it difficult to get a recommendation from someone who likes them. You will be surprised though, to find that when you speak with some teachers who you were on decent terms with, actually liked you, and wrote an amazing recommendation for you that would help you get into an exceptional college. It happened to me, and the only way to know if they like you is to ask for a recommendation. If they say that they are swamped and you should ask them later, drop it. If they say yes and seem very enthused, then let them write the recommendation. It is likely to be exceptional.

I hope my tips helped all those needy juniors, and seniors in the future, who are struggling with this process. No worries, because soon it will be over, and whether you feel as though you've completed your job well or not, the answers will come and you can't do much about it after you send your applications so there isn't really a point to stress. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the quiet time until your answers come back.

College Help Site

http://www.acollegehand.com